Texas defensive end Alex Okafor, tied for fourth in the Big 12 with 1.05 tackles for loss a game, will be looking to contain do-everything Kansas State QB Collin Klein. / Tim Heitman, US PRESSWIRE

by Edde Timanus, USA TODAY Sports

by Edde Timanus, USA TODAY Sports

1. Semifinal: The Southeastern Conference will get its chance for a seventh consecutive BCS championship. Unlike last year, however, there will only be one league member in the game to face Notre Dame. That will, of course, be the winner of Saturday's battle in Atlanta between No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia (4 p.m. ET, CBS). In what already figures to be a low-scoring affair, Alabama's offense took another hit with the loss of WR Kenny Bell (broken leg). But QB AJ McCarron does still have WR Amari Cooper, who will probably need some long gainers to stretch the field. The key to Crimson Tide TBs Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon finding room to operate will be how well their excellent interior line, featuring C Barrett Jones and T D.J. Fluker, handle the Bulldogs' big defensive front with NG John Jenkins and LB Jarvis Jones. Georgia QB Aaron Murray's top target is WR Tavarres King, who is likely to see bracket coverage from CB Dee Milliner and S Robert Lester if TBs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall can't make headway on the ground.

2. Final argument: No. 7 Kansas State looks to make a two-fold statement as it hosts No. 21 Texas on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC). The Wildcats want to secure the Big 12 championship, and QB Collin Klein might have the last word in the Heisman Trophy discussion. It will have to be definitive since his last outing at defense-challenged Baylor was not successful, but the bye week might help him and his offensive line get TB John Hubert re-established in the running game. Texas DE Alex Okafor will need to be at his disruptive best. Case McCoy will get the start at QB for the Longhorns, and he'll need to find WR Mike Davis quickly to quiet the Manhattan crowd. He'll have to contend with Wildcats DE Meshak Williams if downfield opportunities don't present themselves.

3. Last week? No. 9 Stanford and No. 16 UCLA, who squared off six days earlier, get together again Friday night (8 p.m. ET, Fox). The Cardinal earned hosting privileges for this Pac-12 finale, and this time a berth in the Rose Bowl opposite the Big Ten champion is at stake. While UCLA might not have emptied the playbook last week knowing a rematch with Stanford was a good possibility, the Bruins must nevertheless improve their execution, eliminating turnovers and penalties, while getting better production from TB Johnathan Franklin for a different outcome. That's easier said than done, of course, against Stanford's tremendous LB corps where another key playmaker, A.J. Tarpley, has emerged in recent weeks. UCLA QB Brett Hundley must provide what help he can through the air. Meanwhile, LB Eric Kendricks and the Bruins' defense must find an answer for Cardinal TB Stepfan Taylor, but QB Kevin Hogan's mobility is also a concern.

4. Lasting impression: Friday night's Mid-American Conference final in Detroit between No. 18 Northern Illinois and No. 19 Kent State (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) might actually be the most entertaining of the conference championship games. The contest features a pair of talented players deserving of a bigger spotlight. NIU's standout is QB Jordan Lynch, the MAC's leading rusher and passer with 4,361 yards of total offense. His main aerial threats are WRs Martel Moore and Tommylee Lewis. The Golden Flashes' big-play man is TB Dri Archer, who gained 1,337 rushing yards and also led the league in kickoff return average with three more TDs. He is also a solid pass catcher for QB Spencer Keith, and TB Trayion Durham provides a power punch. They'll likely have their hands full, but Golden Flashes LB Luke Batton and Huskies S Jimmie Ward will be in on a lot of tackles.

5. Last seat: No. 11 Oklahoma needs to refill its emotional fuel tanks in a hurry after outlasting archrival Oklahoma State in a wild Bedlam shootout. The Sooners still have a lot on the line as they conclude at TCU (noon ET, ESPN), as a victory keeps them in the at-large BCS mix. They'll also stay alive in the league title hunt, pending K-State's result later in the day. TCU is seeking a winning league record in its first swing through the dozen-minus-two. Oklahoma QB Landry Jones might not have to win this one in shootout style like his last two outings, but he will need some long connections with WR Kenny Stills to counter DE Devonte Fields and the tough Horned Frogs defense that has improved steadily. TCU QB Trevone Boykin isn't as prolific through the air, but WR Josh Boyce has dependable hands. Sooners S Tony Jefferson will be busy.

6. Last date: Big East bound Boise State finishes its final trip through the Mountain West as the No. 15 Broncos visit longtime rival Nevada (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC). BSU is an extreme long shot to bust the BCS on its own this year. But there might nevertheless be some support for the Wolf Pack from MAC supporters looking for as much help in the human polls as they can get. The Broncos have been more defense-oriented this season, and LB J.c. Percy will lead the effort to contain Nevada traditionally potent ground attack, paced by Stepfon Jefferson and managed by QB Cody Fajardo. BSU QB Joe Southwick had the difficult assignment of filling Kellen Moore's enormous shoes, but he's shown progress with the help of veteran TB D.J. Harper. LB Albert Rosette is Nevada's top stopper.

7. Sunset: Speaking strictly in terms of won-lost records, the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conferences are saddled with title games that are mismatches. But away from the prime-time spotlight, the division-free Sun Belt championship has come down to the season finale of Middle Tennessee at Arkansas State (3 p.m. ET). You might need your computer to see it, but it should be worth a look. The host Red Wolves are led by senior QB Ryan Aplin, who has 20 TD tosses with only four picks. WR J.D. McKissic is his primary weapon who can expect to see extra attention from Blue Raiders S Kevin Byard. TB David Oku has contributed 14 TDs on the ground for ASU. Middle will counter with QB Logan Kilgore, who has 16 TD throws, though he might have a depleted receiving corps if WR Anthony Amos can't come back from an apparent head injury. Blue Raiders rushing leader Jordan Parker and Red Wolves LB Nathan Herrold figure to collide often.